Portrait of a Carlisle Graduate

Carlisle School is an independent college preparatory school that provides a positive, safe environment for academic excellence and character development, while embracing diversity and preparing our students to become leaders as citizens in a global society. Upon entering Carlisle School, a student is immersed in an educational, cultural and social environment that will enhance his/her ability to attain the following qualities in order to become a Carlisle graduate.

Character

A Carlisle graduate should be

Respectful, honest and committed to integrity

Compassionate, tolerant and open-minded

Self-disciplined and self-reliant

Persevering, diligent and dedicated to excellence and justice

Civic- and service-minded to our community, state and the nation

Passionate about and cognizant of his or her mental, artistic and physical aptitude and abilities

Aware, knowledgeable and responsible as a citizen

Intellect

A Carlisle graduate should be

Creative and a critical thinker

Enthusiastic about opportunities for lifelong learning

Inquisitive and intellectually independent

Able to demonstrate a strong college preparatory foundation that encompasses knowledge, understanding, competence and/or proficiency across the curriculum in the following subject areas: English, mathematics, science, social studies (including America’s cultural heritage), a world language, visual and performing arts, physical education and technology

The education here is not easy for my child. But with a lot of encouragement and support, he’s succeeding. He’s not a number. He’s a student that’s very important to each teacher, and they show him that each day.

Tim Mills, parent

It’s an indescribable feeling to see your once shy daughter find her confidence – in front of peers, with teachers, even outside of school at church and dance class. It’s what every child needs. It’s what every parent hopes for.

Lee Probst, parent

The extracurricular activities that I participated in at Carlisle broadened my education, and me as a person. I was able to branch out and experience things I would otherwise have never known.

Ronnie Fultz, alum

Carlisle was a great preparation for college. I attended the University of Virginia, and the first week I arrived there I knew I was surrounded by really bright people. I felt like they had been to large schools, elite boarding schools, and it was a little intimidating. But I soon realized, with the education I brought from this small school in this small town,
I could compete with anyone.

Virginia Hamlet, alumna

This is not a one-size-fits-all education. We have to know that every child, every day, has different needs. And it’s our job to make sure that we meet those needs.

Toni Nuckols, 4th-grade teacher

It’s great to be here, to experience what America is really like – not from a movie or TV, but from being a real American high school student.

Bonnie Xue, Class of 2015

I came to Carlisle from a big public school. Here, there are only about 15 kids per class, and that’s awesome. You get the one-on-one attention you need in order to be successful.

Katie Ryan Snyder, Class of 2014

I appreciate so much my teachers and college counselor. During my application process, they helped with proofreading my essays, preparing me for interviews, and writing letters of recommendation. Our work together paid off – I was accepted into my first-choice school, Washington and Lee University.

Annie Boyd, Class of 2014

I know that as I’ve moved through the years – between learning Greek mythology in third grade, writing research papers in eighth, and as a senior learning about the theory of knowledge – that I’m getting the best possible education at Carlisle.